Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator comprises a cabinet providing a refrigerating compartment and a machine compartment isolated from the refrigerating compartment, said cabinet installed with a door for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment; and a refrigerating unit detachably installed in the machine compartment, for supplying cool air into the refrigerating compartment, and including mechanisms performing a refrigerating cycle of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation, said mechanisms integrally installed in the machine compartment. Accordingly, a fabrication process of a refrigerator is simplified and cost and operating time for installation, maintenance and repair of the refrigerating unit can be reduced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator which can be fabricated through a simplified process and can be easily maintained and repaired.

2. Description of the Background Art

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional refrigerator includes: a main body 10 provided with a refrigerating compartment 12 in which cooled items or frozen items are stored and having a front surface where a door 19 is installed; and a refrigerating unit 20 constructed such that a compressor 32, a condenser 33, an expansion valve 34, an evaporator 42 and the like are connected by a refrigerant pipe 5 in order to cool the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12.

As for the refrigerating unit 20, a high-temperature part 30 including the compressor 32, the expansion valve 34, the condenser 33 and the condenser fan 36 for cooling the condenser 33, and generating a high-temperature in operation is installed in a machine compartment 14 blocked from the refrigerating compartment 12 by a partition wall 15, and a low-temperature part 40 including the evaporator 42 and a circulation fan 44 for circulating air cooled while passing through the evaporator 42 in the refrigerating compartment 12 is installed in the refrigerating compartment 12.

As for a conventional refrigerator, a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant is changed into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant in the compressor 32, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant having passed through the compressor 32 is changed into a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerator in the condenser 34, the high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant having passed through the condenser 34 is changed into a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant in the expansion valve 34, and the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant having passed through the expansion valve 34 is changed into a gaseous one to absorb heat around the evaporator 42 in the evaporator 42. The air passing through the evaporator 42 is cooled by such a refrigerating cycle, and the cooled air circulates in the refrigerating compartment 12 by the circulation fan 44 to cool the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12.

A fabrication process of a conventional refrigerator will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, an iron plate 13 is formed in a prescribed shape through operations such as cutting, punching or the like by a shape-processing device 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the processed iron plate 13 is coated, passing a coating device 70.

And, as shown in FIG. 5, several processed iron plates are assembled to constitute a main body 10 of a refrigerator, an inner case 11 obtained by processing an iron plate is inserted into the main body 10, and a partition wall 15 is installed in the main body 10. Through such processes, a refrigerating compartment 12 and a machine compartment 14 are provided in the main body 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, a foaming agent for heat-insulating the main body 10 is injected by using a foaming agent injection device 80 and sufficiently heated. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, a refrigerating unit 20 is installed in the main body 10, and a door for opening and closing a refrigerating compartment 12 is installed at one side of the main body 10. In such a manner, a fabrication of a refrigerator is completed.

However, the conventional refrigerator constructed and fabricated as above has following problems.

Since the high-temperature part 30 of the refrigerating unit 20, that is, the compressor 32, the expansion valve 34, the condenser 33 are installed in the machine compartment 14 isolated from the refrigerating compartment 12, and the low-temperature part 40, that is, the evaporator 42 is installed in the refrigerating compartment 12, the high-temperature part 30 and the low-temperature part 40 should be separately fabricated in an assembling line of a refrigerator and then respectively installed in the refrigerating compartment 12 and the machine compartment 14. Accordingly, a fabrication process of a refrigerator becomes complicated.

In addition, in case that it is required to check and repair the refrigerating unit 20 while a refrigerator is being fabricated or used, since it is difficult to specially separate and repair only the refrigerating unit 20, an operation time due to the maintenance and the repair of the refrigerator, and a cost are increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can be fabricated through a simplified process and also can be easily maintained and repaired, by detachably installing a refrigerating unit for cooling the inside of a refrigerating compartment in the refrigerating compartment.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a refrigerator comprising a cabinet providing a refrigerating compartment and a machine compartment isolated from the refrigerating compartment, said cabinet installed with a door for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment; and a refrigerating unit detachably installed in the machine compartment, for supplying cool air into the refrigerating compartment, and including mechanisms performing a refrigerating cycle of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation, said mechanisms integrally installed in the machine compartment.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a unit of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a conventional refrigerator;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a structure of a refrigerating unit provided in a conventional refrigerator;

FIGS. 3 to 7 are perspective views sequentially showing a process for fabricating a conventional refrigerator;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 9 to 14 are perspective views sequentially showing a process for fabricating a refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective views respectively showing a cabinet in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 8, a refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes: a cabinet 100 providing a refrigerating compartment 112 in which cooled items or frozen items are stored and a machine compartment 130 isolated from the refrigerating compartment 112 and having a front surface where a door 119 is installed; and a refrigerating unit 200 detachably installed in the machine compartment 130, for supplying cool air into the refrigerating compartment 112 as mechanisms for performing a refrigerating cycle of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation are integrally constructed.

The cabinet 100 includes a first plate 110 having an upper wall 114 of the refrigerating compartment 112 and right and left side walls 116 of the refrigerating compartment 112 and the machine compartment 130 by being bent from the upper wall 114; and a second plate 120 coupled to a rear side of the first plate 110 and having a rear wall 122 of the refrigerating compartment 112 and a dividing wall 124 for dividing an internal space of the cabinet 100 into the refrigerating compartment 112 and the machine compartment 130 by being bent from the rear wall 122 (refer to FIG. 13).

A cool air introduction opening 126 through which cool air is introduced from the machine compartment 130 to the refrigerating compartment 112 and an air circulation opening 128 through which air is introduced from the cool air introduction opening and the refrigerating compartment 112 to the machine compartment 130 are respectively formed at the dividing wall 124.

Each of first and second plates 110, 120 has a structure that at least two panels are attached to each other, and a foaming agent 303 for heat-insulation is filled between the panels.

The refrigerating unit 200 includes a casing 136 fixed to a lower surface of the dividing wall 124 and dividing the machine compartment 130 into a first chamber 131 communicating with the outside and a second chamber 132 communicating with the cool air introduction opening 126 and the air circulation opening 128 of the dividing wall 124 and isolated from the outside; a compressor 210 installed in the first chamber 131, for compressing a refrigerant; a condenser 220 installed in the first chamber 131, for liquefying a refrigerant compressed in the compressor 210; an expansion valve (not shown) installed in the first chamber 131, for changing a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant liquefied in the condenser 220 into a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant; a condenser fan 242 installed near the condenser 220 in the first chamber 131, for cooling the condenser 220; an evaporator 230 installed in the second chamber 132, for evaporating the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant having passed through the expansion valve to absorb ambient heat; a circulation fan 244 installed in the second chamber 132, for supplying air around the evaporator 230 into the refrigerating compartment 112; a driving motor 240 for driving the condenser fan 242 and the circulation fan 244; and a base plate 133 for supporting each component of the refrigerating unit 200 as above. A front cover 135 having a ventilating opening 138 to introduce external air into the first chamber 131 is installed at the front of the machine compartment 130.

The driving motor 240 is fixed to the casing 136, one pair of rotary shafts 246 are respectively extended toward the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132, and the condenser fan 242 and the circulation fan 244 are respectively connected to the pair of rotary shafts 246.

An operation of the refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention constructed as above will now be described.

First, when the refrigerating unit 200 installed on the base plate 133 is inserted into the machine compartment 130 provided under the dividing wall 124 of the second plate 120, the casing 136 and the dividing wall 124 come in contact with each other to thereby form a second chamber 132 isolated from the outside. And, the second chamber 132 and the refrigerating compartment 112 communicate with each other through the cool air introduction opening 126 and the air circulation opening 128 of the diving wall 124, thereby forming a channel through which cool air is circulated.

Then, when power is applied thereto and thus its operation is started, a refrigerant compressed in the compressor 210 is cooled in the condenser 220 to be condensed, and the condensed refrigerant is introduced to the evaporator 230 through the expansion valve and absorbs heat around the evaporator 230. By operation of the circulation fan 244, air in the refrigerating compartment 112 is introduced into the second chamber 132 through the air circulation opening 128, cooled while passing through the evaporator 230 and then introduced into the refrigerating compartment 112 through the cool air introduction opening 126. Accordingly, the inside of the refrigerating compartment 112 is cooled.

In case of repairing and checking the refrigerating unit 200, the front cover 135 is separated, and the base plate 133 is pulled frontwardly, so that the refrigerating unit 200 is simply separated from the machine compartment 130 of the cabinet 100.

Hereinafter, a process for fabricating a refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14.

As shown in FIG. 9, a first panel 101 defining the inside of the cabinet 100 and a second panel 102 defining its outside are respectively provided by a supply roller 301. While the first panel 101 and the second panel 102 pass through a foaming agent supply device 302, a foaming agent 303 for heat-insulation is filled between the first and second panels 101 and 102. Then, the first and second panels 101 and 102 are pressed, passing through a press device 304 and cut into an adequate size by a cutting device 305. Accordingly, a panel 103 for fabricating the first and second plates 110 and 120 is completed.

And, as shown in FIG. 10, the panel 103 has a V-shaped groove 104 having an inner angle of about 90 degrees, for being bent in the basis of the groove 104. The groove 104 is formed by cutting out with a shape processing device 306.

As shown in FIG. 11, the panel 103 having two grooves 104 for bending is bent on the basis of the bending groove 104. Accordingly, a first plate 110 defining the upper wall 114 of the refrigerating compartment 112 and the left and right side walls 116 of the refrigerating compartment 112 and the machine compartment 130 is completed.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the panel 103 having one groove 104 for bending is bent on the basis of the groove 104 for bending. In such a manner, a second plate 120 defining a rear wall 122 of the refrigerating compartment 112 and a dividing wall 124 for dividing an internal space of the cabinet 100 into the refrigerating compartment 112 and the machine compartment 130 is completed.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first and second plates 110 are assembled to each other, and the refrigerating unit 200 and the door 119 are installed. In such a manner, a process of fabricating a refrigerator is completed.

In the refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerating unit 200 that a compressor 210, a condenser 220, an expansion valve and an evaporator 230 are integrally constructed is detachably installed in a machine compartment 130 isolated from the refrigerating compartment 112, so that a fabrication process of a refrigerator is simplified. In addition, when the refrigerating unit 200 is out of order while a refrigerator is being fabricated or used, only the refrigerating unit 200 can be specially separated to be repaired. Accordingly, an operation time due to maintenance and repair of the refrigerator is reduced, and a cost is also reduced.

In addition, a cabinet 100 provided with a refrigerating compartment 112 and a machine compartment 130 of a refrigerator is easily fabricated by two plates, the first and second plates 110 and 120. Accordingly, a fabrication process of the refrigerator becomes simple and a cost is reduced.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. The same reference numeral is given to the same part as the aforementioned embodiment, and its explanation will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a cabinet 300 includes a first plate 310 being bent for defining an upper wall 314 and a rear wall 322 of a refrigerating compartment 112 and a dividing wall 324 for partitioning into the refrigerating compartment 112 and a machine compartment 130; and a pair of second plate 320 coupled to left and right sides of the first plate 310 and defining left and right side walls 316.

As described in one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second plates 310, 320 respectively have a structure that at least two panels are attached to each other, and a foaming agent for heat-insulation is filled between the panels.

The first plate 310 has a V-shaped groove 104 having an inner angle of about 90 degrees, for being bent in the basis of the groove 104. The second plate 320 is formed in a flat shape and coupled to left and right side of the first plate 310 by engaging means such as screws or welding method.

In the refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention, since the processes for forming a V-shaped groove 104 and bending the plate are reduced because the second plates 320 for forming left and side walls 316 of the refrigerating compartment 112 are not bent, the productivity of the refrigerator is improved over the refrigerator of one embodiment of the present invention.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. 

1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet providing a refrigerating compartment and a machine compartment isolated from the refrigerating compartment, said cabinet installed with a door for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment; and a refrigerating unit detachably installed in the machine compartment, supplying cool air into the refrigerating compartment, and including mechanisms performing a refrigerating cycle of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation, said mechanisms integrally installed in the machine compartment.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the cabinet comprises: a first plate bent for providing an internal space therein; and a second plate coupled to the first plate for sealing one side of the internal space of the first plate and bent for divide the internal space of the first plate into the refrigerating compartment and the machine compartment.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein a groove of which an internal angle is about 90 degrees is formed at each bending portion of the first and the second plates.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the first plate defines an upper wall of the refrigerating compartment and defines a left and a right side walls of the refrigerating and the machine compartments; and the second plate defines a rear wall of the refrigerating compartment and defines a dividing wall dividing the internal space of the first plate into the refrigerating compartment and the machine compartment.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the dividing wall includes: a first passage through which cool air in the machine compartment is introduced into the refrigerating compartment; and a second passage through which circulated air in the refrigerating compartment is introduced into the machine compartment.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the refrigerating unit comprises: a casing fixed to the dividing wall and dividing the machine compartment into a first chamber communicating with an outside of the cabinet and a second chamber communicating with the first passage and the second passage of the dividing wall and sealed from the outside; a compressor installed in the first chamber, for compressing a refrigerant; a condenser installed in the first chamber, for condensing a refrigerant compressed in the compressor; an expansion valve installed in the first chamber, for changing high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant condensed in the condenser into a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant; an evaporator installed in the second chamber, for evaporating the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant passed through the expansion valve for absorbing heat around the evaporator; a circulation fan installed in the second chamber, for supplying air cooled while passing through the evaporator into the refrigerating compartment; and a driving motor fixed to the casing, for driving the circulation fan.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein a condenser fan for circulating air in the first chamber to cool the condenser is installed in the first chamber.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the driving motor includes a pair of rotary shafts which are respectively extended toward the first chamber and the second chamber and connected to the circulation fan and the condenser fan.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein a cover is installed at a side of the machine compartment; and a ventilating opening is formed in the cover, for communicating the outside of the cabinet and the first chamber.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a base plate for supporting the refrigerating unit at a lower portion of the machine compartment.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the cabinet comprises: a first plate bent for providing an upper wall and an rear wall of the refrigerating compartment and a dividing wall partitioning into the refrigerating compartment and the machine compartment; a pair of second plates respectively coupled to left and right sides of the first plate, for providing left and right side walls of the refrigerating compartment and the machine compartment.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the first and the second plates respectively comprise at least two panels attached to each other; and a heat insulator is filled between the panels of the first and the second plates. 